Why are glycans more difficult to structurally analyze compared with proteins or nucleic acids?
A) Proteins are smaller than most glycans.
B) Nucleic acids are polar, whereas most glycans are nonpolar.
C) Sugar synthesis is a template-directed process.
D) Glycans have sugar isomers with identical masses.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Glycans have many sugar isomers with identical masses, making it difficult to distinguish between them using traditional analytical techniques. Additionally, glycans have more complex branching patterns than proteins or nucleic acids, leading to more complex structural analysis.

Why Are Glycans More Difficult to Structurally Analyze Compared with Proteins